TUCAC Paper No. 1/2014 Advice for Users of Walkie-talkies

Transcription

1 TUCAC Paper No. 1/2014 Advice for Users of Walkie-talkies Telecommunications Users and Consumers Advisory Committee 15 May

2 Use of Walkie-talkies in Hong Kong Licensed walkie-talkies under Private Mobile Radio System Licence For company or organisation use commonly used in estate management, security, logistics, transportation, construction sites, engineering, public utilities etc 2,163 systems covering 112,271 walkie-talkies and car mobile units as at March Licence free walkie-talkies for public use 409 MHz radios and Citizens Band (CB) radios Both personal and commercial use 2

3 409 MHz Walkie-talkies Permitted for public use without licence in February 2003 Licence exemption covered by Telecommunications (Telecommunications Apparatus) (Exemption from Licensing) Order 20 channels FM mode, 0.5 watt transmitted power Coverage up to 3 km 3

4 Certification of 409 MHz Walkie-talkies (1) CA prescribes the specifications for: equipment certification ensuring that equipment in the market meet the technical requirements and will not cause interference to other telecom equipment or services Certification on a voluntarily basis Manufacturers, suppliers and dealers must ensure that their equipment comply with the prescribed specifications even they do not apply for certification They are encouraged to submit their products for certification in order to help consumers to choose compliant products 4

5 Certification of 409 MHz Walkie-talkies (2) Only certified radios are affixed with a CA label as a consumer guidance Consumers advised to buy radios with a CA label Consumers can check the list of certified 409 MHz radios in OFCA website Label after 1 April 2012 Label before 1 April

6 Popularity of 409 MHz Walkie-talkies Large number of certified models (71) available in the market Low cost and light weight Welcome by the public and various industries Personal use in hiking and outdoor activities Common in commercial use such as restaurants, construction sites, warehouses, supermarkets etc. 6

7 CB Walkie-talkies Opened for public use in January MHz frequencies, 40 channels, AM / FM, 4 watts transmitted power Over 10 km coverage Use of CB radios governed by Class Licence Anyone meeting the licence conditions of the Class Licence may operate CB radio without the need for individual licence, no registration, no licence fee OFCA may impose financial penalty on persons who fail to comply with the licence conditions of the Class Licence. The maximum penalty is $200,000 fine. 7

8 Licence Conditions of CB Class Licence CB radios must be certified To avoid non-compliant CB (high power radios with more than 40 channels) causing interference to telecom equipment and service Portable and car mobile units are permitted Base stations not permitted Public concern on radiation safety and potential interference to TV and FM broadcast reception Restricted to receive only when used in indoor Avoid interference to In-building Coaxial Cable Distribution System 8

9 Emergency Channel Hikers are encouraged to bring along walkie-talkies for maintaining close communications with team members Recommends the use of Ch. 9 in 409 MHz radios and CB radios as emergency channel Monitor Ch. 9, offer assistance as far as possible when there is an emergency call from Ch. 9 Civil Aid Service crew listen to 409 MHz Ch.9 in search and rescue operation Turn off tone-squelch for Ch.9 of 409 MHz radios No tone-squelch feature in CB radios 9

10 Use of illegal Walkie-talkies Some walkie-talkies in the market are for export only and they are not conforming to the prescribed specifications Examples are US FRS (462/467 MHz)and European PMR 446 (446 MHz) walkie-talkies unlicensed radio dealers selling such walkie-talkies to public Possession or use of telecom equipment not meeting the prescribed specifications => Maximum penalty : $50,000 fine and 2 years imprisonment CA label can differentiate compliant equipment FRS Walkie-talkie PMR 446 Walkie-talkie 10

11 Unlicensed Use of Walkie-talkies A licence is required for the possession and use of radio apparatus except for radios covered by the Exemption Order Unlicensed radio dealers selling licensable radios to public Possession or use of walkie-talkies without a licence => Maximum penalty : $50,000 fine and 2 years imprisonment 11

12 Leaflet - Consumer Alert on Labelling Look for CA Label when buying radiocommunications equipment Choose telecom equipment, such as walkie-talkies, cordless phones and WLAN etc with the CA label Look up the list of certified telecom equipment on the OFCA website 12

13 Thank You! 13